So I am halfway through the semester at GOBA. I can't believe this time last year I was gearing up for graduation! HaHa... how time passes!
So what is God doing in my life and the ministries here:
~ Every tuesday since I have gotten here I have been teaching ESL in the Quality Inn International on International Drive. Suzette and i geared up for 10 weeks of teaching and after the first, we caught on to the needs of the students. Most of them spoke creole and were from haiti and there were a couple that spoke spanish. They knew a little english and at first were afraid. Each week, I prepared a litght hearted lesson with new vocabulary in areas such as colors, money, actions, objects in a hotel, emotions, family, and holidays and came up with activities to help them remember each. That, with Suzette's chipper demeaner, it was a successful 10 weeks. We ended yesterday with the 10 pillars of the hotel, the Golden Rule being one of them and thus we were able to present the gospel to them. It was a successful ministry because they have asked us to come back to the resorts to teach the kitchen staff esl beginning in May. The students were amazing, they really wanted to learn and grow in their vocabulary. Each week they would bring what they learned the week before and tried to apply it to get approval from me and Suzette. I will truly miss them and it was said when one woman said... i am unhappy that my teachers leave....you will be back in 2 weeks right?...... God truly used this time to touch the students and to transform me... and for that I give Him the thanks and glory!
During the month of February, the Osceola Fair took place. I didnt have a BIG part in this ministry, I had to be in the office preparing for other ministries. However I was able to go out there for set up and break down and help out a little. i always was there the first day of the ministry as the carnival workers got off the bus and came towards us. I began by handing out the bags of hygiene products. They were so grateful to get the items. The two incidents of the day however were the opposite extremes. One was that one guy refused to take a bag because a bible is in it and when we took it out he walked off and then came back replaced the bible and just said he would get the items from another place... weird experience, i never knew bibles could have such a big impact. The other one was the guy who told me about a bible study they have on the fair grounds for the carnival workers AND INVITED ME TO THE BIBLE STUDY! I was amazed at his optimism and joy for the Lord. When he saw that we were running low on bibles he went to the trailer where they have bible study to get us some more!!! The fair really showed me the importance of how actions speak love louder than words. I saw Suzette reach out and help two men who were so grateful and you could see the lord working in them. they continue to touch base with her... the impact there was all GOD ORDAINED!
Other experiences i have had was a retreat with the staff in January, a great time to get to know the heart of who I was working with. Also, I got to speak (5 min testimony) at the FL State BCM convention, which inspired me in so many ways... more to come about that later. I also experienced a cowboy church, the horse whisperer, and hunting, motorcycle, monster trucks, and an impact ministry. I continue to learn how to keep an open mind and be ready to find new creative ways to reach out to people. I am blessed to have the opportunities that are given to me and I truly believe this is a time that God is molding and shaping me for something bigger than I will ever imagine!
We are beginning to prepare for the summer and as we do so please be in prayer for us. I am helping to get things ready but my responsibilities are still unclear. So as we iron out the details and prepare for the students coming in, be praying that we lean on God's wisdom and guidance. Also, pray for the students as God prepares them for summer ministry. Also, we still need more students. God provides in the perfect time... We are just anxiously awaiting his provisions!!!
